Horse Sport Ireland has announced that Nick Turner (above) will be the new High Performance Manager for Irish Eventing.
Nick started his equestrian career in the show jumping field at an early age and was the first winner of the Young Riders Show Jumping Championships at Olympia. He continued show jumping to international level until he took up eventing in the early 1990's.
During his eventing career he competed up to and including Four Star level events including Badminton and Burghley as well as many other major events both in the UK and internationally. Throughout his competitive career, Nick spent much time coaching other riders at all levels and has coached in USA, Brazil, Switzerland, Ireland and Japan as well as the UK.
In 2008 Nick retired from competition and was appointed as the Brazilian Eventing Team Coach/Performance Manager in 2009. He was the Brazilian Chef d'Equipe at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and the London 2012 Olympic Games where Brazil finished in 9th place
In recent times he has been a member of the British Senior International Selection Committee and is qualified in Nuero Linguistic Programming (NLP), a technique used in sports psychology.
On the Horse Sport Ireland website Nick says
"I am delighted to be appointed to this important position. I am looking forward to working with the riders to build on their performances to date and on the work done over the past four years," he said.
Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that he was delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Turner.
"There were many excellent candidates for this role. Nick's experience and his plans for the Irish Eventing Team really made a big impression on the panel and I have no doubt but that he will do an excellent job," he said.
Eventing Ireland Chairperson Georgia Stubington also welcomed the appointment.
"Nick has a wealth of experience in eventing at all levels. Since he gave up riding he has worked hard to develop his coaching and management skills and I am sure that he will put these to good use in his new role," she said.
The previous High Performance Manager for the Irish Eventing Team, Ginny Elliot withdrew from the application process on January 16th.
A Horse Sport Ireland spokesman said that Ginny Elliot had done an excellent job as High Performance Manager for the Irish Eventing Team.
“The Horse Sport Ireland board took a decision to advertise the High Performance Manager roles as we head into a new Olympic cycle. Ginny applied for the role and been participating in the process but has now withdrawn her application.
“We would like to thank Ginny for her efforts over the past four years. Ginny is a person of the highest integrity who has had great success in the sport. We would like to wish her well with her new ventures.”
Photo courtesy ntsporthorses.co.uk
